About Us
GARFIELD HAWK III, FOUNDER
Garfield Hawk III founded the unINcluded Club in 2009 his journey began, not with a step, but with a ball. A basketball to be exact. Throughout Garfield’s life, his community in east Temple, TX had changed tremendously, particularly in the decade preceding the club’s inception. With high teenage pregnancy, illiteracy, obesity, and spiked crime rates, unsupervised children and lack of structure. Garfield witnessed young children following in the steps of older children, who were out doing the wrong things. Garfield felt the need to take action.
Using his own money, he bought a basketball goal and a few balls to provide recreational activities for the children. Over time, he not only earned the children’s trust and respect but also their love, becoming a mentor, friend, and, in many cases, father figure for his community.
That's when the unINcluded Club was born! The organization is a nonprofit dedicated to providing educational and mentoring opportunities for young children and teenagers.
Behind the Name & Logo
THE NAME
Many have asked, what does unINcluded really mean? Here it goes... the word “un-included” is a play on the word “included.” The definition of included is to contain or be a part of something or some group.
So we want our kids to be excluded from the included. We want them to be un-included from anything negative, like drugs, obesity, teenage pregnancy, gangs, and illiteracy.
To be unINcluded is a powerful, positive way to stand strong in who you are as an individual and not feel pressure to follow the crowd.
Check out the video link to hear from our founder, Mr. Garfield Hawk III.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYivp83EiFo&list=PLG5EdZ0UvpBbvLf60viT_BPIYK5r-7AVZ&index=9
THE LOGO
Why the heart with a latch across and a lock and no keyhole?The thought is it's in people's behavior to think they can pick a lock, therefore, the keyhole was intentionally left off. The the lock on the heart represents our brain. We want people to know that the our brain can't be picked or manipulated because in this world people will pick at you trying to manipulate you to do or be things that you know are not right. Many children are pressured in wanting to be liked or included with people or situations that are not healthy or safe all with innocent and pure heartfelt intentions. The hope is that if we use our brain, that hopefully we can protect our heart, from people who act in ways that may cause harm to ourselves or to others.
It's Cool to Be unCool!
Sheryl Austin-Board Chair MAgrSc.
slaustin@pvamu.edu
OUR Executive Team
Un-Included Club Executive team is a rock star team! Whether its producing content or being advocates for our community, our Executive team is a governing body that has a great understnding about what it takes to the work to fulfill our mission.
Doree Collins M.Ed.-Executive Director
doree.collins@unincluded.org
Brelayshia Hodges-Board Vice Chair
brelayshia@gmail.com
Our Partners
Chris McGilvery
Chris McGilvery has been leading the charge against illiteracy for over 10 years! He has inspired youth all over the world to pick up a book and read.
Tony Johnson
Tony Johnson is Founder and CEO of the CEO Youth League. His leadership inspires youth to be their own boss. He is dedicated to do what is needed to empower the next generation through financial literacy.
Tony Austin
Tony Austin is the manager for the Cen-Tex HBCU Alumni 4H Group. Tony established this group to ensure young people have a chance to be exposed to HBCUs while learning great things with 4H.